Building construction

ABSTRACT

A building construction in which a basic unit of twelve elements is fabricated into a rectangular paraellelepiped to define a structurally rigid module requiring no additional structural members. A plurality of modules in the form of rectangular parellelepipeds can be assembled together in side-by-side and/or stacked relationship to form a building of substantially any desired size. Each of the twelve elements of each module has at least two legs joining the legs of adjacent elements at right angles to form a closed parallelepiped.

United States Patent [191 Dattner 1March 13, 1973 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION [76] Inventor: Richard Dattner, 881 Seventh Ave.,

Room 605, New York, NY. 10019 [22] Filed: Dec. 4, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 94,326

[52] US. Cl. ..52/79, 52/236, 52/648 [51] Int. Cl ..E04h 1/12, E04h 9/06 [58] Field of Search ..52/79, 648, 236

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,052,332 9/1962 Mulitz ..52/648 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS France ....52/648 Germany....

Italy Italy Primary ExaminerHenry C. Sutherland Attorney-Blum, Moscovitz, Friedman & Kaplan [57] ABSTRACT A building construction in which a basic unit of twelve elements is fabricated into a rectangular paraellelepiped to define a structurally rigid module requiring no additional structural members. A plurality of modules in the form of rectangular parellelepipeds can be assembled together in side-by-side and/or stacked relationship to form a building of substantially any desired size. Each of the twelve elements of each module has at least two legs joining the legs of adjacent elements at right angles to form a closed parallelepiped.

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SHEET 3 UF 3 INVENTORV RICHARD DATTNER BUILDING CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a building construction and more particularly to the construction of a module which is structurally rigid, requires no additional structural members and can be assembled with other similar modules to form the sole structural members of a building of substantially any size requiring only non-structural finishing panels to complete the enclosed building.

Buildings formed on a modular system have been known in the art and the modular concept has been pursued in the building industry as well as in other industries in an attempt to maximize efficiency and functionality while reducing cost. However, the modular theory of construction and assembly has not always had the desired results with the resultant product often being unattractive or expensive.

The instant invention constitutes a novel approach to the creation of a unit which is especially suitable as a building element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, 12 individual elements are assembled end-to-end to form a rectangular parallelepiped. Each element has at least two legs which join at a right angle wherein each joint is formed of three elements joined at three interfaces. The rectangular parallepiped has eight corners, resulting in a total of 24 interfaces whereby the assembled parallelepiped is structurally rigid in all directions, completely eliminating the need for additional structural members.

With the basic unit as aforesaid, any number of units can be joined in horizontal or vertical fashion to form a building of any pre-selected size or volume. Once the building is formed, wall,floor and roof members are added as desired but none of such members need be load-bearing.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a building of improved construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a building composed of one or more units of improved construction which are structurally rigid, each unit being in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved modular unit for building construction with each unit formed of substantially L-shaped members joined together in such manner that a substantially rigid rectangular parallelepiped is developed.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will-in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the inven- 'tion will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of four units constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, assembled and stacked in a predetermined pattern.

FIG. 2 is a typical floor plan of a building looking in the direction of arrows 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a single unit or module;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate form of parts of adjacent units;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate form of parts of adjacent units;

FIG. 6 is a partial exploded view of an alternate joint construction; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a typical roof section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, there is disclosed therein four units 11 of substantially identical construction, with three units being joined together on one level and the fourth unit being stacked on one of the three units to perform, in effect, a second storey. Each unit 11 is structurally rigid, is self-sustaining and requires no additional structural or load-bearing members. Each of the units shown in FIG. 1 is depicted in the form of a cube with all sides being of equal dimension. However, it should be understood that the concept of the cube is that it be formed as a rectangular parallelepiped wherein the sides are rectangular but not necessarily square. Of course, it is preferred that mating sides be of equal dimension, but, when making larger cubes having greater floor area, it is not necessary to increase the height over usual ceiling height as wasted space will result.

The construction of a unit 11 is best understood by reference to FIG. 3. The unit is composed of 12 elements numbered sequentially 101 through 112. Each element has an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration with a typical element 103 having a first legs 21, a second legs 22 and opposite ends 23, 24, 25 and 26. The ends may be of any suitable configuration such as beveled as shown in order to mate with the ends of other elements to which they will be joined.

At any corner, three elements are joined at their respective ends. A typical corner construction is formed by elements 103, 104 and 112, wherein an end 23 of element 103 joins with an end 24 of element 104, an end 26 of element 103 joins with an end 25" of element 112 and an end 25' of element 104 joins with an end 24" of element 112. In all, six ends are joined together at three intersecting planes to form a rigid corner joint. In one form of the invention, the various elements are built up of stressed plywood skins glued to spacing blocks whereby the corner joints can be glued, nailed or pinned. However, the specific construction of the elements and the manner of joining the ends is not deemed to be a factor of the invention.

As may be seen in FIG. 3, the corner described hereinabove, is typical of the seven remaining corners wherein, at each corner, six ends join in three intersecting planes to form a structurally rigid corner.

When all eight corners have been joined to connect together the 12 elements, the resultant prallelepiped has sufficient structural rigidity to support substantially any load it might encounter. To form an enclosed structure, it is merely necessary to support the parallelepiped on a foundation by means of the four downwardly projecting legs, to hang walls on the outwardly projecting legs, which walls may be provided with doors and windows, and to secure a roof to the upwardly-projecting legs.

An alternate form of corner construction is depicted in FIG. 6 wherein the joining ends of elements 103, 104 and 112 utilize the known mortise and tenon construction for interfitting the parts. In view of the fact that each element may be identically constructed, all mortises and tenons will properly interfit when three elements are assembled to form a joint of the type shown in FIG. 6.

Of course, if it is desired to form the elements of any other material, including steel, the method of joining the elements at the corners will be dictated by the material of which the elements are formed. If steel elements are utilized, the ends could be joined by welding.

The primary factors resulting in a structurally rigid parallelepiped are the primarily L-shaped configuration of each element, the use of twelve elements and the mutually perpendicular orientation of each element at a joint, providing for joints in three intersecting, perpendicular planes.

A typical floor plan of three units 11 placed together is shown in FIG. 2. The vertical elements 109, 110, 111 and 112 are shown in section with edges of the outwardly projecting legs in abutment to form a continuous area. Wall panels 27 have been hung to close the exterior with windows 28 being selectively provided. Also, an entry door 29 is included as one of the wall panels. Interior walls 31 are erected and a floor laid down to form the enclosed interior. The bedroom area 'has been identified as BR, living room area as LR, the

dining room area as DR, the kitchen area as A, the bathroom as B and the hall as H. Also shown is a spiral staircase S for access to the second storey unit, if one is provided. As can be seen from the floor plan of FIG. 2, the entire internal area is open and without the need for load-bearing walls or other structural members. Thus, the layout can be predetermined to fit any suitable need. At this juncture, it can seen that the construction disclosed herein is well suited for prefabrication, prior to delivery to the site of the elements.

As aforenoted, each of the elements 101 through 112 is formed as an L-shaped member having a first and a second leg. When joining adjacent units, four legs of four elements on one unit are in abutment with four legs on four elements of the contiguous unit. The vertical elements abut in a similar manner as respects the horizontal elements. Referring to FIG. 2, it is noted, for example, that vertical elements 111 and 112 have one leg of each in abutment to form a joint. The versatility of the system is demonstrated by reference to FIG. 4 wherein an alternate form of elements is shown identified as elements 111' and 112'. Each of these elements is formed as an L-shaped member with each having a first leg 21 and a second leg 22. The abutting first and second legs 21, 22' are each provided with a cut-out 41, 42 so that when the elements are in abutment, cut-out 41, 42 cooperates to form a through passage, allowing access to the interior of the assembled units. The size of the cut-outs can be proportioned as desired to form a window or a door.

When stacking one on another, a leg on each of the four upper L-shaped elements of the lower unit will be in abutment with mating legs on the upper unit. Where it is desired to stack units vertically, the flexibility of the system allows elimination of one of the first or second legs to reduce overall height by the width of one leg by utilization of a modified element as shown in FIG. 5. Element 45 has a U-shaped configuration and becomes an integral part of both the upper and lower units of a stacked pair. Naturally, four of elements 45 would be required. Element 45 consists of the usual first leg 21 and second leg 22 to ,which has been added an additional first leg 21" with its second leg 22" being the same as first leg 21. In other words, one of the vertically oriented legs has been eliminated, thereby reducing the overall assembly by the width of said one leg.

The modifications shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 represent only a few of the modifications possible with the basic system. As each unit is structurally integrated, there is no limit on the finishing techniques available. Exterior walls may be hung as prefinished sections having desired doors and/or windows and interior walls may be placed in any desired pattern or layout as they are wholly without structural significance.

A typical roof unit 46 is depicted in FIG. 7, said roof unit having an open bottom end designed to mate with the upwardly projecting legs of the four top elements of a unit.

The various spaces exterior of the units formed at the junctions of elements can be used as heating plenums, accommodate ducts for heating systems, or accommodate piping, wiring and the like.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:

1. In a building construction, at least two abutting modules; each module comprising a six sided structurally rigid unit consisting of 12 elements, each of said elements having a first leg and a second leg joined to said first let at an angle of with respect thereto, each leg having two opposite ends and a free edge, said elements being joined at the ends thereof to form a rectangular parallelepiped having eight joints formed of three of said elements, the leg ends at each joint being oriented to define a joint comprised of three intersecting edges with each edge extending from the point ofintersection in a direction away from the interior of said parallelepiped and with the free edges of the four legs on each side of each module extending in an outward direction away from the interior of said parallepiped, the free edges on the four outwardly directed legs on each side of each module being in coplanar relation, said free edges on one side of one module being in abutting, edge-to edge relation with the free wherein at least one of said legs of one of said elements includes means defining a cut-out therein for forming a passage between the interior and the exterior of said parallepiped. 

1. In a building construction, at least two abutting modules; each module comprising a six sided structurally rigid unit consisting of 12 elements, each of said elements having a first leg and a second leg joined to said first let at an angle of 90* with respect thereto, each leg having two opposite ends and a free edge, said elements being joined at the ends thereof to form a rectangular parallelepiped having eight joints formed of three of said elements, the leg ends at each joint being oriented to define a joint comprised of three intersecting edges with each edge extending from the point of intersection in a direction away from the interior of said parallelepiped and with the free edges of the four legs on each side of each module extending in an outward direction away from the interior of said parallepiped, the free edges on the four outwardly directed legs on each side of each module being in coplanar relation, said free edges on one side of one module being in abutting, edge-to edge relation with the free edges on a side of the second module, whereby the respective opposed and outwardly directed legs on the abutting sides of the two modules are in coplanar relation with each other.
 1. In a building construction, at least two abutting modules; each module comprising a six sided structurally rigid unit consisting of 12 elements, each of said elements having a first leg and a second leg joined to said first let at an angle of 90* with respect thereto, each leg having two opposite ends and a free edge, said elements being joined at the ends thereof to form a rectangular parallelepiped having eight joints formed of three of said elements, the leg ends at each joint being oriented to define a joint comprised of three intersecting edges with each edge extending from the point of intersection in a direction away from the interior of said parallelepiped and with the free edges of the four legs on each side of each module extending in an outward direction away from the interior of said parallepiped, the free edges on the four outwardly directed legs on each side of each module being in coplanar relation, said free edges on one side of one module being in abutting, edge-to edge relation with the free edges on a side of the second module, whereby the respective opposed and outwardly directed legs on the abutting sides of the two modules are in coplanar relation with each other. 